NSDC to bulid sugarcane bio factory at the University of Ilorin

The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) will soon
build a sugarcane bio-factory at the University of Ilorin.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to seal the
partnership agreement for the proposed project was signed
between the two institutions last Monday (June 30, 2014).
Speaking at the Memorandum signing ceremony in the
Vice-Chancellor's office, the NSDC Executive Secretary, Dr.
Latif Busari, explained that when completed, the bio-factory
would provide high-yielding, disease-resistant sugarcane
seedlings for the use of sugarcane factory estates and out-
grower farmers across the country. Dr. Busari said that the
seedlings would be mass produced through tissue culture
in-vitro multiplication process.
The Executive Secretary further stated that the seedlings’
production would be need-driven, thereby eliminating
wastage. In addition, he said that the Council would
leverage on the competence of the University of Ilorin to
ensure the success of the project.
Dr. Busari also disclosed that the NSDC would be seeking
greater collaboration with the University of Ilorin because of
its track record of academic excellence, research output and
stable academic calendar.
In his own remarks on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of
the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, assured
the NSDC Executive Secretary that the University has
everything it takes to make the project a huge success,
noting that the time has come to take advantage of
technology in ensuring food security in the country.
Prof. Ambali disclosed that the University has been able to
carve a niche for itself through the commitment of its staff
members.
The Vice-Chancellor submitted that the University would be
able to admit only 9,000 out of over 100,000 admission
seekers that applied to study in the University in the on-
going 2014/2015 admission exercise. He, however, stressed
that the University is rapidly expanding to be able to
accommodate more students in future
The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) was
established by Decree 88 of 1993 to, among other things,
promote the development of the sugar sub-sector through
the provision of guidance on the development of sugar
estates and the organisation of sugarcane out-growers
schemes to enhance local production of sugar with a view
to ensuring that Nigeria achieves at least 70 percent self-
sufficiency in sugar requirements as soon as possible.
Officials of the NSDC present at the Memorandum signing
ceremony included Mr. Samuel A. Kwabe, Mr. Ishaq A.
Odewale-Suleman, Mr. Salihu Bkeke, Mr. Gambo Abdullahi
and Mr. Babangida Abba. Others were: Mr. Ahmed M.
Waziri, Elder Adaga John, Mr. G. M. Kawuyo and Arc. A. S.
Usman.